Produced By Conference

Overview

The Produced By Conference is the Producers Guild of America's (PGA) annual industry gathering for film, television, and emerging media producers. The 2026 edition takes place on Saturday, May 30, on the Universal Studios Lot in Los Angeles. It is a one-day event combining fireside chats with industry leaders, panel discussions on emerging technology, networking opportunities, and an expo floor. The conference is not a film festival - it does not screen films competitively or accept film submissions.

PGA member passes range from $150 to $300 depending on purchase timing. Non-member passes are also available. All conference passes include access to one day of sessions and panels, a networking luncheon, and a networking reception. Registration is available at producedbyconference.com/register.

The 2026 conference features fireside chats with Jason Blum (CEO and Founder of Blumhouse), Michael De Luca (Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group), and Tom Quinn (CEO and Founder of NEON). Programming also includes "The State of Producing" session, panels on AI and producing, "The Art and Craft of Pitching," and "The Future of Producing - New Models." Sponsors include Universal Production Services, Delta Air Lines, Final Draft, IMDbPro, GreenSlate, Wrapbook, and others. Media partners are Deadline, TheWrap, and Variety.

2026 Conference Schedule

The 2026 conference runs from 8:00 AM to approximately 6:00 PM on Saturday, May 30. Key sessions include:

All sessions are held on the Universal Studios Lot. The schedule is subject to change, with additional speakers announced in the weeks leading up to the event.

Registration and Pass Pricing

Registration is open at producedbyconference.com/register. Pass pricing for 2026:

All passes include:

• Access to one day of sessions and panels
• Networking Luncheon
• Networking Reception

PGA members can register through the PGA member portal. Non-members can register directly through the conference website. Passes typically sell out, and early registration is recommended.

What Filmmakers Should Know

This Is a Producer Conference, Not a Film Festival

The Produced By Conference does not accept film submissions, screen films competitively, or host premiere screenings. Filmmakers looking to premiere or sell a film should look elsewhere - this event is oriented toward working producers seeking professional development, industry contacts, and exposure to emerging trends. If you are a producer building a career rather than launching a specific film, this is the most targeted industry event in the United States.

Networking Is the Primary Value

The conference's structure is built around networking. The networking luncheon, reception, and AMA roundtables are designed to put producers in rooms with agents, executives, financiers, and technology companies. The one-day format concentrates networking into a single high-density event, which is efficient for producers who cannot spend a week at a festival market like Cannes or AFM.

AI and Emerging Technology Focus

The 2026 conference has a significant AI focus, with two dedicated sessions: "AI and Producing: Adapting to New Technology" and "Artificial Intelligence: The Terms and Conditions." This reflects the PGA's position as one of the first major guilds to engage substantively with AI's impact on production. Producers working with AI tools or navigating guild compliance around AI-generated content will find these sessions directly relevant.

Access to Studio Leadership

The fireside chat format puts producers in the same room as studio heads and distribution company CEOs. The 2026 speakers include Jason Blum (Blumhouse, one of the most successful horror and genre producers in Hollywood), Michael De Luca (Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, one of the three major studio film divisions), and Tom Quinn (NEON, the distributor behind Parasite and Anora). These sessions offer direct insight into acquisition strategies, production slates, and distribution philosophy from decision-makers who buy and greenlight films.

PGA Membership and Access

PGA membership is not required to attend, but members receive discounted pass pricing ($150 to $300 vs. higher non-member rates). Some sessions and roundtables may have limited capacity with priority for PGA members. Producers considering PGA membership can use the conference as an opportunity to evaluate the guild's value. PGA membership requires producer credits on qualifying projects and payment of initiation fees and annual dues. See the PGA membership page for current requirements.

Conference Sponsors and Industry Presence

The 2026 conference sponsor list provides a map of the production industry ecosystem:

• Host Sponsor: Universal Production Services
• Technology and Services: Final Draft, GreenSlate, Wrapbook, SmartSource, IMDbPro, Indee
• Production Resources: Film New Mexico, Honolulu Film Office, Houston Film Commission, Sunset Studios
• Financial: First Entertainment Credit Union, PayKeeper
• Media Partners: Deadline, TheWrap, Variety

The expo floor includes these sponsors and others, giving producers direct access to payroll services, production management tools, tax incentive offices, and industry databases.

Festival History

The Produced By Conference was established in 2009 by the Producers Guild of America as a dedicated annual forum for its membership. The conference was created to give producers a professional development event comparable to what other guilds offer their members, but focused specifically on the business and craft of producing.

The conference has been held annually on major studio lots in Los Angeles, including Warner Bros. and Fox lots in earlier years, and the Universal Studios Lot in recent editions. The 2025 edition took place on May 31, 2025, also at Universal. Over its 17-year history, the conference has hosted speakers including Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Shonda Rhimes, Kevin Feige, and Kathleen Kennedy.

The conference has evolved from a PGA membership event into a broader industry gathering, with non-members attending and sponsoring. The introduction of AI-focused programming in recent years reflects the conference's responsiveness to industry shifts.

See Also

For production budgeting, use the Production Budget Calculator. For film financing strategies, see Film Financing Guide. For distribution deal structures, see Distribution Deals Explained. For information on the Producers Guild of America, visit the official PGA website. To register for the conference, visit producedbyconference.com.